Here To There

 A year or so ago, it was difficult for me not to write about all the insane shenanigans taking place in the throes of a presidential administration headed up by a failed real estate magnate and game show host. So much of what took place during those four years seemed to cry out for comment. Even now, a year into the next guy's term, it is hard not to feel drawn into the vortex of stupidity created by such a galactically absurd time. 

Then, before we could be free of the gravitational pull of that monstrous idiocy, we were gifted with COVID-19, the virus that keeps on giving. And taking. And taking. Millions of infections and deaths, and no cure in sight. Which seems to have had the effect of stripping away much of what used to be common decency among our fellow human beings. That or the conditions for the opening of the Seventh Seal have been achieved or maybe the chimps who used to be lashed to keyboards trying to generate Shakespeare's works have all been given podcasts. The lunatics may have yet to take over the asylum, but they seem to have a visible presence on the board of trustees. 

Which may begin to explain how, after three weeks of emotional public comment and frustration has been poured out on the Oakland School Board, and at least three "special meetings" inviting citizens to respond to the idea of closing schools and receiving none that could possibly be construed as positive, the majority of the board members when ahead with their plan. It should be noted that none of these special meetings were held in person. The cries for more thorough community involvement and communication had to be squeezed through Zoom. And even that was limited, with dozens if not hundreds of commenters left dangling on the line when the board figured they had heard enough. 

Teachers, students, and parents are stirring things up in Oakland. They are threatening hunger strikes, work actions, sit-ins, teach-ins, and a diverse menu of potential civil disobedience. This is Oakland, after all. We don't need to win a Super Bowl to take to the streets. 

And one of the most galling parts of this experience is the name of my employer: The Oakland Unified School District. Last time I checked, there wasn't a lot of unifying going on, not from the top down, anyway. I have found myself connecting with all kinds of friends, colleagues and family as a result. The center is not holding. It will not surprise me if this is just the first round of struggle against what will almost certainly be a protracted fight to find a way back to the way they used to be. Or the way we want them to be. 

My school's staff was recognized as Local Heroes by our city council member this past weekend. That felt good, but it also seemed to have a political weight to it that felt a little like we might be pieces in a bigger game. Our city council member would like to be mayor. 

I would like to know less than I do about local politics.